Cam controlled device



INVENTOR.

2 Sheets-Sheet l J. L. HARRIS CAM CONTROLLED DEVICE June 30, 1953 Flled July 27 1949 June 30, 1953 HARRIS 2,644,119

CAM CONTROLLED DEVICE Filed July 27, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,644,119 AM CONTROLLED Device John L. Harris, Whitefish Bay, Wis.- Application 'July 27, 1949, Serial No. 107,169

1 This invention relates't'o timing devices and more particularly to sequence timers of thecode signaling type. Theprimary object of the invention is to pro-'- vide a timer which is simple in construction. positive in operation and which permits easy selection of the desired sequence Or timing characteristic.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a timer which selection of the characteristic desired serves to also start and stop the timing motor. I p

Another object or the invention is the provision of a simple and positive arrangemehtfor maintaining the timer; in operation until it reaches apredeteriiiined'angular position.

Other objects will appear from' the following description and appended claims.

For a complete disclosure of the invention reference is'made to the accompanyingdrawings in which Fig. 1 is a top'section view taken on line of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a side viewwith the cover in section.

Fig. 3 iS an end sectional View.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ca's'eexterior, and

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram. I 7

Referring to "Fig. 2, reference character I indicates a base member of U shape configuration having a bottom portion 2 and end portions 3 and 4. This base member supports a cover member 5 which is also of U-shaped construction {see Fig. 4) having inturned end portion 6. The cover 5 is secured to the base by means of a screw 1 which is threaded into a bracket 8 which is se-- cured to the end portion 3 of the base member.

Also carried by the base member isan in verted U-shaped bracket 9 having side portions I0 and II and a top portion |2. The end portions l0 and H are bent inwardly at the bottorn' ends and rest against the base portion '2; The mechanism bracket 9 is secured to the base by means of screws l3. The base is provided with rubber feet M of sufiicient height to prevent the screw heads [3 from resting on the surface sup-- porting the device. Extending between the end portions H] and II of the mechanismbracket is a cam shaft l5 carrying a series ofcams 5, l1, |8, I9, and 2|. The right hand endof the cam shaft |5 as seen in Figs. 1 and 2 is driven by the shaft of a synchronous motor generally indicated as 22. This timing motor is of well known construction and is supported on the end H of the mechanism bracket by meansof studs 23 and 24.

12"ClaimS. (Cl. 317141) Alsoextendingbetween the vertical portions menu "I of the mechanism bracket is a cam'i'orlower s aft 25. This shaft carries a series "of cam inowers 26, 21, 2a, 29, 30 and 3| which ride on cam'slfi, l8, I9, 29 and 2| res ee= tively. These cam followers are channel shaped and are pivoted onthe shaft 25 intermediate theirends (see Fig; 3). V p

Also mounted on the bracket 9 and extending between the vertical'po'rtions I0 and of this bracket is 'aselector shaft 32. This shaft car; hes a series-or selector fingers 33; 34, 35, 36; 31 and 38 which cooperate with the cam followers 28, 21, 28, 29, 3D and"3| respectively. As shown in Fig. 3 these selector fingers eachhave a portion 39 which is adapted to engage the cam follower and a handle portion- 40 which extends through a slot in the'cover 5. The selector fingersare separated by means of spacers 42 carriedby theshaft 32; Preferably a strap 43 ex tends between the shafts 25 and 32 for providing support between these shafts at their midportions. A comp'ression'spring 44 also may be pro vided' between the strap 43 and the finger .38. This spring serves to keep tension on the sides of the selector fingers to prevent them from movingtoo easily.

Also-carried on the cam follower shaft 25 is a switch operating member 45. This member is provided with ears 46 and 41 at each end which areprovided with holes through which the shaft 25 passes; The member 45 is also provided with an inturned portion which extends inwardly towards the cam followersto be engaged thereby. The operating member 45 carries a bracket 49 which inturn carries an insulating button 5|) which operates a switching mechanism generally indicated as 5|. Bracket 49 also extends out wardly over the cam 2| and is provided with an intur-nedcam follower portion 52.

Th'e' cam followersa re each provided with separate springs 53- for biasing the followers in a clockwise direction toward the cams as shown in Fig. 3. These-springs are preferably of the tersion type;.havin'g.'one-leg bearing against the carnfollower and another leg. bearing on theselectorshaft spacers 42.

Referring to the switch mechanism 5|. this device' consists-of switch blades 54; 55'and 56 which areprovid'ed with suitable separators 51 and aremounted on a bracket 58. The bracket 58 is carried by'a'terminal panel 59 which is mounted to the basemember 9 by means of brackets 60 and 6|.

As mentioned abovethe device described 'is of special utility. for useas a'code signalingdevice for signaling personnel that they are wanted. Fig. 5 shows a wiring diagram of the device for this use. The switch blade 55 is connected to a line wire 63, the switch blade 54 is connected to the timer motor 22, and the switch blade 56 is connected to one or more signaling devices 64 which may be chimes, gongs, etc. The switch blade 56 also may be connected to an indicator light 65. If alarm signals are used such as signals 66, they may be wired to a push button 61 carried in the case top 5. The indicator light 65 may be mounted on the bracket portion l I so that its light shines through a button 68 mounted on the cover. The cover as shown in Fig. 4'is provided with a name card holder 69 carryinga name card 10. This card indicates the code signal provided by each cam and provides spaces for the names of the personnel to be signaled.

It will be understood that each cam is provided with a series of notches for giving the code signal indicated by the correspondingnumbers on the name card. For example, the cam 2| is controlled by the selector finger 38 as shown in Fig. 4. The code signal for selector finger 38 is 1-3. Thus the cam 2| is provided with a notch 15, a space 16 and a series of two notches 11. It will be apparent that this arrangement of notches will cause the cam follower 3! to be operated once and then operated two times. The remainder of the cams are provided with similar notches arranged to give the other signals indicated on the name card.

Operation With the parts in the positions shown, the selector fingers are all in their lower positions. Thus each selector finger has forced its corresponding cam follower to the position shown in Fig. 3. In this position the bracket 49 is in its lower position which causes the switch blades 54, 55 and 56 to be separated as shown. Due to switch blades 54 and 55 being separated the timing motor is out of operation and due to switch blades 55 and 56 being separated, the call signals are de-energized.

When the operator wishes to call a particular individual, the desired selector finger is moved upwardly to its top position. .Assuming that the finger 38 has been moved, this movement causes the abutting portion 39 to be moved downwardly toward the center of the cam follower 3!. This releases the cam follower for movement toward the cam 2| under the action of the torsion spring 53. This movement of the cam follower causes corresponding movement of the common operating member 45 which moves the switch button 50 upwardly to cause engagement of the switch blades 54 and 55. The end of the cam follower 3| engages the cam 2| before switch blades 55 and 56 engage. Due to the engagement of the blades 54 and 55, the timer motor 22 is energized and this causes rotation of the cam shaft in a clockwise direction. When the notch in the cam passes under the end of the cam follower this follower drops into the notch, thus moving further in a clockwise direction and closing switch blades 55 and 56. This energizes the signal and also energizes the indicator light. As the cam continues to rotate it lifts the cam'follower out of the notch 15 and thus disengages switch blades 55 and 56. On further rotation of the cam shaft the cam followerdrops successively into notches H and for each drop gives one energization of the call signal. This operation continues indefinitely until the operator moves the selector finger back to the off position. This movement instantly prevents any further signals from being given inasmuch as the cam follower is prevented from dropping into notches of the cam. If the cam follower portion 52 on the bracket 49 is riding the periphery of the cam, it holds the switch blades 54 and 55 engaged until this follower portion drops into a notch 15 in the cam. This arrangement maintains the timing motor in operation until the cam shaft reaches a position insuring that the device will not start in the middle of a code signal.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the present invention provides a sequence timer which is especially adaptable to code signaling devices and which provides for starting and stopping of the device simply by the flick of a lever. It will further be apparent that its use is not limited to this application. In fact, the invention may be used in any timing application where a plurality of different cycles must be selected.

While a single embodiment of the invention has been described in detail it will be apparent that many modifications in form may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is desired to be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of, a cam shaft having a plurality of cams of different contour, drive means for the cam shaft, a cam follower shaft having a series of cam followers arranged to be actuated by said cams, a selector shaft adjacent said cam followers, and a plurality of independently operable selector members mounted on said selector shaft and arranged to lift certain of said cam followers off their respective cams.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of, a cam shaft having a plurality of cams of different contour, a cam follower shaft having a series of cam followers arranged to be actuated by said cams, drive means for driving said cam shaft, selector means arranged to maintain certain of said cam followers off their respective cams, and means controlled by said selector means for starting said drive means.

, 3. In a device of the character described, the combination of, a cam shaft having a. plurality of cams of different contour, a cam follower shaft having a series of cam followers arranged to be actuated by said cams, drive means for driving said cam shaft, selector means arranged selectively to maintain at least portions of said cam followers in predetermined positions independently of said cams, and means controlled conjointly by said selector means and said cam shaft for starting and stopping said drive means.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of, a cam shaft having a plurality of cams, means including an electric motor for driving said cam shaft, a plurality of cam followers arranged for actuation by said cams, a common operating member arranged to be actuated by each of said plurality of cam followers, means including a motor switch for controlling said electric motor, a main switch for controlling a load, means actuated by said common operating member for actuating said switches in a manher to first close the motor switch and then close the main switch on motion of said common operating member in a single direction, and selector means for controlling said cam followers, said again-11o g switches, said tame h vmg' ai'rrerentcontrolling efiectsonsaidmain'switch and serving to oberatethe main switch while theme-tor switch remamsciosed.

5. ,In a devi'c'e 'of'the'character described, the combination of a; dam shaft having a plurality of cams, means including an electric motor for driving saiii shaftja 'plurality or camfollowers arranged-for actuation by saidlea'msaa common operating member arranged to be actuatedby each of said pluralityof cam followers, means including a motor switch for controlling said electric motor, a main switchfor controllinga load, meallisfictllaited by aid commen W i g m mber for actuating said switches in a manner to first close the motor switch and then close the main switch on motion of said common operating member in a single direction, selector means for controlling said cam followers, said selector means being arranged to prevent movement of said cam followers for closing said switches, said cams having different controlling effects on said main switch and serving to operate the main switch while the motor switch remains closed and means for maintaining said motor switch closed independently of said cam followers until the cam shaft reaches a predetermined angular position.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of, a cam shaft having a plurality of cams, a cam follower shaft having a series of cam followers arranged to be actuated by said cams, a. selector shaft adjacent said cam followers, a plurality of independently operable selecto-r members mounted on said selector shaft and adapted to control said cam followers, means including an electric motor for driving said cam shaft, a common operating member arranged to be actuated by each of said plurality of cam followers, means including a motor switch for controlling said electric motor, a main switch for controlling a load, means actuated by said common operating member for actuating said switches in a manner to. first close the motor switch and then close the main switch on motion of said common operating member in a single direction, said selector members being arranged to prevent movement of said cam followers for closing said switches, said cams having different controlling effects on said main switch and serving to operate the main switch while the motor switch remains closed.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of, a cam shaft having a plurality of cams, a cam follower shaft having a series of cam followers arranged to be actuated by said cams, a selector shaft adjacent said cam followers, a plurality of independently operable selector members mounted on said selector shaft and adapted to control said cam followers, meansincluding an electric motor for driving said cam shaft, a common operating member arranged to be actuated by each of said plurality of cam followers, means including a motor switch for controlling said electric motor, a main switch for controlling a load, means actuated by said common operating member for actuating said switches in a manner to first close the motor switch and then close the main switch on motion of said common operating member in a single direction, said cams having different controlling effects on said main switch and serving to operate the main switch while the motor switch remains closed and means for maintaining said motor switch closed independently of said cam-followers "untikthe cam shaft reaches apredetermined angular position.

3. In a contro1-mechanism,-the 'combirtationof, an electric motor, a cam driven by the-electric motor, a switch for controllingsaid electric motor, means independent of said cam for "closing said switch to start the motor, fneans operated by initial movementbf said cam for maintaining said switch closed irrespective of said indepen'd ent means-,--s'aid ca'm being arranged to maintain said switch 'closed until it reaches apre'det'en mined angular position.- i

In a device of-the character described, the combinati'on'of; cainmeans comprising a series of ca'ins ,-d rive means for said cams, said-drive means includihga motor and means connecting the cams together and to the motor for simultaneous operation of said series of cams by said motor, a control device, actuating mechanism between the cams and control device arranged to cause the cams to actuate the control device in a manner to effect a controlling function, said operating mechanism including selector means arranged to limit the number of cams actuating said control device while permitting simultaneous operation of said cams by the drive means, and means controlled by said selector means for controlling said drive means in a manner to start operation of said cam means when the selector means is actuated in one direction.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of cam means comprising a series of cams, drive means for said cams, said drive means including a motor and means connecting the cams together and to the motor for simultaneous operation of said series of cams by said motor, a control device, actuating mechanism between the cams and control device arranged to cause the cams to actuate the control device in a manner to effect a controlling function, said operating mechanism including selector means arranged to limit the number of cams actuating said control device while permitting simultaneous operation of said cams by the drive means, and means controlled by said selector means for controlling said drive means in a manner to start operation of said cam means when the selector means is actuated in one direction and means controlled by the cam means for controlling said drive means in a manner to maintain operation of the cams irrespective of the selector means until a predetermined position is reached.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of, a series of cams, drive means for said cams, said drive means including a motor and means connecting the cams together and to the motor for simultaneous operation of the series of cams by said motor, a series of cam followers, one for each cam, and each biased toward its respective cam, a control device having an operating element biased in one direction, a common operating member arranged to be operated by the bias of the cam followers in a direction against the bias of the operating element for causing actuation of the control device by said cams, a series of selector members arranged for holding selected cam followers away from their respective cams, and means controlled by said selector members for controlling said drive means in a manner to start operation of the cam means when any selector member is moved in a direction releasing its respective cam follower.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination of, a series of cams, drive means for said cams, said drive means including a motor and means connecting the cams together and to the motor for simultaneous operation of the series oi, cams by said motor, a series of cam followers, one for each cam, and each biased toward its respective cam, a control device having an operating element biased in one direction, a common operating member arranged to be operated by the bias of the cam followers in a direction against the bias of the operating element for causing actuation of the control device by said earns, a series of selector members arranged for holding selected cam followers away from their respective cams, means controlled by said selector members for controlling said drive means in a manner to start operation of the cam means when any selector member is moved in a dimetion releasing its respective cam follower, and

means for maintaining operation of the cam means irrespective of said selector member until the cam means reaches a predetermined position.

' JOHN L. HARRIS. References Cited in the me or this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Number Name 7 1,563,488 Hage Dec. 1, 1925 2,343,540 Elliott u Mar. 7, 1944 2,450,323 Williamson Sept. 28, 1948 2,474,843 Helslng July 5, 1949 

